Key Takeaways:
- Six Indian tourists have gone missing in snow-hit Dolpa
- Heavy snowfall reportedly stranded the group in Shey-Phoksundo
- Authorities are preparing a helicopter rescue operation
- Communication problems have hampered efforts to verify details and locations
Six Indian tourists have gone missing in Dolpa after heavy snowfall stranded them in a remote high-altitude area, prompting authorities to prepare a helicopter rescue operation.
According to Nepal Police, the tourists lost contact in Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality-8 after becoming trapped by snowfall. Information about the incident reached the District Administration Office in Dunai at around 9 pm on Saturday.
Authorities have identified three of the missing tourists as Pyali Kolli, Mamata Haldar and Jajala Trivedi Kumar. The identities of the remaining three have yet to be confirmed because communication with the area remains disrupted.
Following a meeting of the District Security Committee, officials began coordinating a helicopter rescue mission to locate and evacuate the stranded tourists.
The incident comes amid deteriorating weather conditions in several Himalayan districts, where recent snowfall has disrupted travel and increased risks for trekkers, pilgrims and visitors.
Officials said further details would be released as rescue efforts progress.